Haydock Grand National Trial Tips 2025: Runner-By-Runner Guide

The Grand National Trial at Haydock Park is one of the feature sports betting races of February and gives trainers with Grand National aspirations a chance to have a prep run before April’s marathon.

This year’s renewal features the following Grand National entries and their position in the National weights follows their name: Royale Pagaille (2nd), Fontaine Collonges (47th), Yeah Man (61st), Apple Away (75th), Famous Bridge (80th), Where It All began (83rd) and Git Maker (84th).

Here is your runner-by-runner guide:

Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams)

Dual Betfair Chase hero and Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille heads the weights, but he will need to bounce back quickly from an underperformance here last month in the Peter Marsh Chase.

A class act on his day and Sean Bowen is the more than able deputy in the saddle.

Fontaine Collonges (Venetia Williams)

Fontaine Collonges was better than ever when too strong for Monbeg Genius here in November, but was sadly pulled up in the Welsh National next time.

Monbeg Genuis franked that previous form at Uttoxeter last weekend so the omens are really good.

Yeah Man (Gavin Cromwell)

Cromwell conceded earlier in the week that Yeah Man will struggle to get in the National off his allocated weight, but the aim was to try and win this race again as it is a good race in its own right. The Irish National will be his backup plan.

Galia Des Liteaux (Dan Skelton)

The mare finished eighth in last year’s Grand National but she hasn’t been entered up this time around.

This race looks more realistic and her Welsh National showing was very encouraging.

Apple Away (Lucinda Russell)

The Grade One-winning mare bids to give Lucinda Russell a fourth success in this feature, which she has previously claimed with Silver By Nature in 2010 and 2011 and Lie Forrit in 2015.

This runner-up filler from Market Rasen and Newbury is clearly in good heart.

Famous Bridge (Nicky Richards)

After a luckless run in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster, Nicky Richards is full of optimism for Famous Bridge who is a former Tommy Whittle scorer here.

Where It All Began (Gordon Elliott)

Gordon Elliott’s Where It All Began won the Irish equivalent of the Grand National Trial last term, finished fourth in the Kim Muir, but has been out of form since.

A leap of faith will be required to back this one in our horse racing odds.

Git Maker (Jamie Snowden)

A brave second in last year’s Kim Muir, plus a third place in the Scottish National were the highlights of Git Maker’s season.

He looked in need of the run at Lingfield and can strip much fitter for the outing.

Val Dancer (Mel Rowley)

Victorious in this year’s Welsh National and a real consistent sort over these long distance chases, Val Dancer is an emerging star.

Mel Rowley’s runner looks sure to feature prominently.

Jubilee Express (Sam Thomas)

Jubilee Express was a game second to Val Dancer at Chepstow and the pair of them bring the strongest current form to the table.

Jubilee Express won here last March over 3m4½f in the soft, so conditions won’t be an issue at all.

Haydock Grand National Trial Prediction:

1. Royale Pagaille
2. Val Dancer
3. Jubilee Express